Town Square

Dublin's Lockhart back in the news to help schools

One of Pleasanton's favorite neighboring politicians--former Dublin mayor Janet Lockhart--has just been named executive director of the Dublin Partners in Education, a non-profit organization much like the Pleasanton Partnerships in Education that is dedicated to helping schools. Lockhart is a perfect choice for the DPIE in its work with Supt. Stephen Hanke of the Dublin Unified School District to find more than $3 million to restore budget shortfalls caused by cutbacks in state funding. As mayor frm 2000-2008, Lockhart established good and close-working relations with Sacramento legislators and the California Senate and Cngressional delegation in Washington, D.C. She's joined the mayors of Pleasanton, Livermore, San Ramon and Danville on trips to both capitals and has successfully brought millions of dllars in federal and state assistance to highway, affordable housing and other public projects in fast-growing Dublin. Last November, when she was termed out as mayor, with Councilman Tim Sabranti succeeding her in the mayoral election, Lockhart campaigned vigorously for Measure L, a Dublin parcel tax that passede with about 72 percent of the vote and is now bringing approximately $1 million a year for specific services and programs in the Dublin school district. As a result, that district is able to better respond to the impact of this year's drastic and ongoing state budget cuts.